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Monday, March 24, 2014

Three Unsigned Desktop Bronzes, Vienna? Tiffany? Japan?

I purchased these three small bronze Indian warriors together in an online auction from a retired antiques dealer in Florida. I was told that they had been in his shop for many years before he closed the shop and put them in storage. My guess is that they date anywhere from the 1940's to the 1970's. I've seen similar bronzes listed as both Tiffany Studios and Vienna bronzes, but I have also seen fakes (though they were much cruder) that were made in Japan. None of these pieces are signed or hallmarked. I got an exceptional deal on them however, so I figured, 'Why not?' Perhaps some day I'll find out definitively who made them and when, but for now they sit in my display case and add to the general ambiance.

First up is an Indian warrior throwing a spear. He's wearing pants, a sash around his waist, moccasins and a feathered headband. His long hair is gathered into a ponytail on either side of his head. The condition overall is excellent, with a wonderful aged patina that is flawless.

Second in line is a screaming Indian warrior with a raised tomahawk in his right hand and a raised stick with a ball at the top (perhaps a flag pole with the flag missing?) in his left. He is wearing decorated buckskin pants with a loincloth, moccasins and a feathered headband. His hair is also gathered into wrapped pony tails on either side of his head. Once again the condition is excellent, no signs of damage or wear anywhere on the piece.

The third sculpture depicts a ferocious Indian warrior who is scowling as he crouches with a war club in his right hand and a spear in his left. He is wearing fringed buckskin pants with a loincloth, moccasins, a breast plate on his chest, feathered armbands on each arm and a feathered headband. The condition of this one leaves a bit to be desired. The bronze is missing the stud and nut to attach it to the marble base, and it was once epoxied on. The tip of the spear is bent over but fixable. The ground under the spear is bent up, and the spear itself is twisted. It looks like it took a fall at some point and bent and broke. It's not terrible damage however, nothing cracked or broke off save the stud underneath, so the repair should be fairly straightforward.

If anyone knows where these came from, please let me know!

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, front

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, right

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, back

Indian Throwing a Spear, bronze, left

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, front

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, right

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, back

Indian with Tomahawk and Flagpole, bronze, left

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, front

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, right

Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, back
Indian with War Club and Spear, bronze, better front image

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